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Ten changes as under-20s play Italy

The Scotland under-20 team to take on Italy, in a crucial game for their inclusion in next year's IRB Junior World Championship, features ten changes to the starting XV from Tuesday's defeat to New Zealand in their final pool game.

While full back Ruairidh Young retains his place, scrum half Alex Glashan and winger Damien Hoyland move up from the bench, Blair Hutchison switches from inside to outside centre and stand off Rory Hutchinson, winger Sam Pecqueur and inside centre Neil Herron return to the backs.

There are four changes to the forwards' line-up with hooker Sam James, prop D'arcy Rae and flanker Tommy Spinks returning to the starters from the bench and lock Neil Irvine-Hess back in the team.

Head coach Sean Lineen is under no illusions of the challenge facing the team on Sunday: "Italy beat us quite convincingly in the 6 Nations and we know their full-back and outside centre, particularly, are outstanding.

"The Italians are really developing their game and our lads know the challenge ahead.”

Going into their fourth match in under three weeks, the Scots have yet to record a win in this year's Championship.

Lineen said: "It's been a challenging competition. There were some elements of the games against South Africa and Samoa I was very happy with but I think we made it a little bit too easy for New Zealand.”

As the team gear up for their final ten days in the southern hemisphere, Lineen underlines the importance to the players of this concentrated period spent immersed in rugby on and off the pitch.

"They've been looking at how they deal with their training, working with mentors within the group and really been develping as people as well as players.

"They know what they have to do this weekend – go out and make Scotland proud.”

* member of Scottish Rugby's Regional Academy supported by sportscotland Institute of Sport**Elite Development Player 2013/14

The IRB Junior World Cup 2014 is being held in Auckland, New Zealand. Scotland's pool games were against South Africa (Monday 2 June, k/o 3.35pm local); Samoa (Friday 6 June, k/o 1.35pm local); and New Zealand (Tuesday 10 June, k/o 7.35pm local). A further fixture on Friday 20 June is dependent on results. Last year, Scotland finished in 10th place in the tournament.

Broadcast coverageScotland's game against New Zealand (Tuesday 10 June) was shown live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Highlights of Scotland's other fixtures are accessible approximately 12 hours after the end of each game. Due to broadcast rights issues, these matches will not be streamed live in the UK.